Autometer triple gauge install

[terrible one]

Even though I've got a fully restored stock cluster, I have wanted to get some reliable, aftermarket gauges for a while. I've heard many people say that the cheaper gauges are fine because accuracy isn't a big deal, as long as you have a baseline . . . though I agree, I felt like this is what I had with the stock gauges. So, I decided to splurge and went with Autometer Z Series oil pressure, water temp, and voltage gauges. I went mechanical with the oil pressure and water temp gauges, not so much because I think they are more accurate than electric, but because I wanted full sweep and the ability to read the temp/ oil pressure in increments of as little as 2 degrees/ psi but absolutely couldn't fork out ~$150 per gauge for the full sweep electrics!

First I broke out the soldering gun and wire harness wrap and made a small harness for the lights that allows me to hook them up without cutting up my new repro dash wiring harness. The eyelet is the ground and bolts to the dash frame, and the male bullet connector plugs into the triple bullet female connector in the stock dash harness that the ash tray light plugs into.



Next I ran the lines for the water temp gauge and the oil pressure gauge. This is the only part I cringed about . . . though I don't care much about stock I just hate to cut holes in my Charger! This all went pretty well: everything I needed came with the gauges. The water temp gauge was pretty easy, but the oil pressure line was a pain! This was mostly because of my ECU being mounted in the way, combined with the fact that I had to use a series of fittings , 3/8 - 1/8 fitting in the block, then a 1/8" elbow into that fitting, then the -4AN flare adapter for the braided line into that! In the end though, they turned out well. I'm ashamed to post the picture with the butchered grommets . . . I can't stand that type of thing so I've already got 2 more on order so that I can try to install them in a cleaner fashion.  







And here is a shot from under the dash as well as a picture of the gauges themselves. I really like them, I think these are the only Autometers without a chrome or silver bezel!

[tan top]

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[Hemidog]

Looking good TO! 

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Nice work.      Ive had a set of gauges for months I have been meaning to install, I think its about time to get off my ass and get it done.

[terrible one]

Thanks guys

WHITE AND RED 69, go for it and post some pictures! What gauges did you get?

[WHITE AND RED 69]

I've got the autometer C2 oil pressure, water temp, and a clock. I didn't get a chance last weekend but maybe sometime this week I will get them in and post some pics.   

[terrible one]

Those are nice gauges, ready for pics, good luck with the install 

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Got most of it done. just need to wire up the lights.   

[terrible one]

Those look great!   Are the oil pressure and temp gauges mechanical or electrical? I'll bet they will look awesome when lit up. Are those LED?

What made you go with the clock? Do you still have the factory one?

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Thanks.    I got mechanical gauges with blue LEDs in them. They should match with my dash lights when all lit up. I got rid of my factory clock to add a custom tach, but as soon as it was gone I kinda missed it being there and thought it would be a nice touch.

[terrible one]

Right on. Mind sharing a picture of your other gauges? 

[WHITE AND RED 69]

These are some older pics I had. I have since changed the tach to one that matches the speedo a bit better, I never liked how far back the charger specialties tach sat back in the cluster. I will try to get some up to date pics soon.

[terrible one]

Wow, very nice.  Your Auto Meter gauges really match well since you had the stock ones done white with orange pointers.